Canadian women unexpectedly in a deep hole

The morning after what might have been the worst — if not most shocking — loss in the history of Canadian women’s hockey, the players pulled back the curtains and discovered the sun had come up again. That was the simple message delivered from head coach Laura Schuler after Canada lost 4-3 to Finland, the first time that’s happened at the world women’s hockey championship.

That, coupled with a 2-0 loss to the United States in their first game on Friday, puts Canada in uncharted territory at 0-2. Normally, the women’s team breezes through tournaments like these and only get challenged when it faces the U.S. But even if Canada defeats Russia on Monday, there is a chance that the Canadians will not receive the usual bye through to the semifinals. For once, there is adversity. “I think disappointed is a good word,” goaltender Shannon Szabados said. “But at the same time I think coach Schuler said it best, we woke up this morning and pulled the curtains and the sun was shining. It’s a new day. We play hockey, because it’s fun but also because it’s a challenge. It would be pretty boring if you played every game without that happening.”

The team has started each of its two games sluggishly, with the U.S. and Finland both scoring first. The team is not shooting enough, not skating enough, not playing with the urgency, aggression or confidence that typifies Canadian teams.

“I think we see flashes of (our identity),” forward Sarah Davis said. “(Saturday) wasn’t a bad game. Obviously we can play better, but we showed a lot of flashes of greatness yesterday.”

Canada took Sunday off after the back-to-back losses. The players did not look down or sullen. Rather, with the country’s history of success, they remain optimistic they will be able to bring their best on Monday against Russia, a team that defeated Finland 2-1 but lost 7-0 to the Americans.

“It’s not like we’re out of the tournament or the world’s ending,” forward Bailey Bram said. “We’re going to come out hard against Russia. I wouldn’t count us out.”